Trade

The Federal Government is under increasing pressure to do more to help agricultural exporters overcome difficult rules and regulations in key markets, but Trade Minister Andrew Robb says the government is already taking steps to address the issue.

Australia is now screening imports of canned and preserved fruit for lead and tin contamination. SPC Ardmona says it provided evidence to the government a year ago, that some imported tinned fruit had higher-than-acceptable lead levels. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has defended its response, saying its investigations showed canned fruit imports were a potential compliance issue, but not a human health concern. Read more here.